Keynote Speaker on Change, Resilience & Radical Adaptability

Unleash Radical Adaptability

Most organizations keep asking how to get through change. This keynote teaches your team to ask a better question—and become the answer.

This isn't a speech.
It's a measured shift.

01 Your audience arrives in survival mode

Under pressure, people default to patterns that feel safe but keep teams stuck. The 90-second stress reaction is biology. What happens next is a choice—and most people don’t know they’re making it.

02 They identify their default survival pattern

Shawn introduces the four Adaptability Archetypes—The Hustler, The Defender, The Drifter, The Wayfinder—so every person in the room can see exactly where they get stuck and why.

03 They make five choices that change everything

The 5 Choices of Radical Adaptability aren’t tools handed to your team. They’re decisions your team gets to make—about who they’re becoming, not just what they’re doing.

04 The shift is measured—before and after, same day

Every engagement includes a live readiness assessment. Not as a gimmick—as a proof point your organization can use. Across hundreds of attendees, the average readiness increase is 41–57%.

“Thank you so much for an awesome job presenting at our Symposium. As the opening speaker you set the tone for the rest of the day and all I can say is WOW!”

Corcentric

Vice President of Events Services

Trusted by Leading Organizations Around the Globe

The 5 Choices masters of Radical Adaptability make.

Traditional adaptability is reactive. It asks: How do I get through this?

Radical Adaptability is a different question entirely: Who do I need to become to rise above this?

The 5 Choices are how you get there—and they work because they’re decisions, not tools.

Measured consistently across live audiences, Courage ranks as the top personal takeaway (26–39% depending on audience)—while Calm dominates as the top practical tool (32%).

Every choice is supported by the AAA Triad—Attention, Attitude, Action—the three tools of creation underlying everything Shawn teaches.

Meet Your Guide

Shawn Ellis is a keynote speaker and leadership advisor who helps organizations navigate change through a simple but powerful idea:

Every breakthrough begins with an ending.

Through his Radical Adaptability framework, Shawn helps leaders learn how to stay grounded under pressure, make clearer decisions, and intentionally end what’s no longer serving them—before change makes the decision for them.

His work blends practical tools, real-world leadership experience, and a calm, steady presence audiences trust.

Our Clients Include

SHAWN’S SIGNATURE KEYNOTE for 2026

Unleashing Radical Adaptability

DISCOVER THE 5 C’s TO End What's Not Working and Thrive in What's Next

The complete Radical Adaptability experience. Shawn opens with a story that reframes how your audience sees change, walks them through the 5 Choices, and closes with a decision framework they can use the same week. The room is different when they leave.

What’s Included:

Pre-event discovery call to align with your theme and audience
Fully customized content for your industry and moment
Live readiness measurement
Radical Adaptability Field Guide (digital, all attendees)
Post-event debrief (if desired)

MOST COMPREHENSIVE

Radical Adaptability Intensive

REAL LEARNING, REAL APPLICATION, REAL DECISIONS... REAL CHANGE

For organizations that want more than inspiration—they want a shift that lasts. The half-day moves from framework to practice to personal commitment, with every session building on the last.

Includes the Radical Adaptability Keynote Plus:

Radical Adaptability in Action application session—framework meets reality
Choose Your Ending™ workshop with Brave Choice Worksheet
Team-level insights from the event data collection
Implementation resources for 30 days post-event

What Clients Are Saying About Shawn

Shawn’s keynote was a hit and a great way to kick off our event! His message resonated and I was impressed by how much time he spent getting to know his audience ahead of time. A genuine and powerful speaker.

Your discussion set the perfect tone... I heard nothing but positive feedback from your session. You have a real gift for connecting with people, relating in a very authentic way.

Shawn is the consummate storyteller philosopher. He brings his life lessons together in a way that makes them so relatable to his audience. While he entertains, you learn from his experiences. I could have spent the whole day listening to him.

Why Event Planners Book Shawn Ellis

Unique message: Change doesn’t start with adding more—it starts with choosing what to end
Actionable tools: The Brave Choice Worksheet, 5 C’s Framework, Four Adaptability Archetypes
Deep customization: Every keynote is tailored to your audience’s context
High energy + heartfelt delivery that connects with every level of the organization
20+ years of experience with Fortune 500s, healthcare, finance, associations, and more

Recent Keynote Highlights

5 Videos

Combat Chronic Stress and Energize Your Leadership Presence

0:27

Harnessing the Power of Choices: How to Create Your Ideal Life

0:50

Find Clarity Amid Chaos and Unlock Your Leadership Potential

0:27

Finding Joy: A Journey to Personal Meaning

1:16

Embrace Change and Take Your First Step Forward!

1:26

How It Works—A Simple 3-Step Process

Book the Keynote

“Unleashing Radical Adaptability” is the perfect opening or closing keynote at your next event.

Spark the Shift

Empower and equip your team to recognize what’s holding them back... and END it.

Adapt & Thrive

Watch with joy as your attendees walk out inspired to lead with clarity, courage, and confidence.

THE BOOK THAT INSPIRED THE KEYNOTE

Mastering the Moments

The perfect gift for every event attendee, Shawn’s personal journey is the foundation behind Choose Your Ending™.

In it, he shares how navigating endings—bankruptcy, divorce, business transitions—led to unexpected growth, resilience, and peace.

“...a heartfelt authentic battle cry to embrace change and live fully present in each moment. a clear outline to overcome any self-imposed limiting mindset and master the moments of your destiny.”

erik wahl
globally renonwned artist, TED speaker, bestselling author

The right keynote for your moment.

Shawn works with a focused number of organizations each year to ensure every engagement is customized, measured, and built for what your team actually needs. Availability is limited.

Got Questions? We’ve Got Answers!

What types of events does Shawn speak at?

Shawn speaks at conferences, corporate events, retreats, and more for leaders, teams, and organizations across industries.

What topics does Shawn cover?

Shawn’s keynotes focus on resilience, adaptability, and thriving in change, all with the objective of equipping people and organizations to become the best versions of themselves.

What is Shawn’s speaking fee?

Shawn offers a variety of packages with the goal of being able to accommodate your event budget. Specific fees will be discussed during your inquiry, once we have a better understanding of what you’re looking for.

Does Shawn offer workshops in addition to keynotes?

Yes! Shawn can lead interactive workshops to deepen the impact of his message and engage your audience further.

Is Shawn available for virtual programs?

Absolutely! Shawn has a home studio setup where he can create a dynamic experience for virtual attendees—i.e., not “just another Zoom session.”

What should I do with my life?

Okay, so we don’t have the answer for that one. If you’re looking for some extra support on the journey, though, we’d be remiss not to plug Shawn’s book or course. 😉